What should you do if your vehicle starts to skid?

When your vehicle starts to skid, the best action to take is to steer in the direction you want to go, which allows you to regain control of the vehicle. This technique is essential because steering into the skid helps align your vehicle's wheels with the direction of travel. For example, if your back end is sliding to the right, turning the steering wheel to the right allows the front wheels to follow through, helping to stabilize the car and prevent a complete spin.

Understanding this response is crucial for safe driving, especially in poor weather conditions where skids are more likely, such as rain, snow, or ice. Additionally, gradual steering adjustments are more beneficial than abrupt movements, as quick jerks can lead to further loss of traction.

Other responses do not address recovering from a skid effectively. Braking hard may lock up the wheels, worsening the skid situation. Steering in the opposite direction of the skid could lead to overcorrection and a potential loss of control. Accelerating in a skid would only exacerbate the problem, as it can increase speed and reduce traction further. Thus, steering in the direction you want to go remains the safest and most effective method to regain control of a skidding vehicle.